Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Coastal Empire has received 48 gift certificates for free eye examinations courtesy of local customers of VSP Vision Care, John Kendricks, executive director at the agency, said.

The 48 gift certificates have a retail value of $19,200, he said.

The two groups partnered in 2013 on a campaign called “Clicks for Kids” after research showed that one of four children have an undetected vision condition that can negatively impact learning, Kendricks said.

During the campaign, VSP urged its customers to “click” and enter their zip codes in order to provide free eye examinations and glasses to their local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency.

“Healthy vision is critical for a child’s overall health and success, so we are very grateful for our local VSP customers for thinking of us and our children,” Kendricks said.

Services covered under the program include a comprehensive eye examination from a participating VSP optometrist or ophthalmologist; single vision, lined bi-focal or tri-focal lenses and a frame within the plan limitations.

Big Brothers Big Sisters plan to first distribute the certificates to Littles and Bigs, then to other who may quality,

Qualifications for the program are that a recipient:

· Is not enrolled in any other vision insurance program

· Is a U.S. citizen or documented immigrant with a Social Security number

· Has a family income at or under 200 percent of the poverty level

· Has not used the program during the last 12 months

To register for a certificate, call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 233-7669 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. -5 p.m., Monday through Friday.